Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP)

FORUM is a neutral dispute resolution company. FORUM is accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to administer disputes that arise from the infringing registration of domain names. The registration of a domain name with an ICANN accredited Registrar doubles as an agreement to participate in the UDRP process. The person or entity claiming trademark infringement agrees to the process upon filing of the Complaint.

A case coordinator is assigned to each matter to direct it through the process. The coordinator’s email address appears at the bottom of emails sent on the case and is assigned after a Complaint is filed. FORUM’s case coordinators are happy to answer any procedural questions, but must not provide any legal advice. Questions coordinators may answer include 'where do I find the form I need' and 'how much longer until I need to do something else?' Coordinators are best reached by email. After a case is filed, please remember the other party should be copied on any correspondence to FORUM. General pre-filing questions should be sent to domaindispute@adrforum.com.

See Annex A to FORUM’s Supplemental Rules for the most current list of acceptable file types.

Submissions are not considered complete until FORUM receives payment. It’s possible your case may be dismissed or your submission considered incomplete if payment is delayed. FORUM will not begin working on your case until payment is received.

When you file your Complaint or Response online, you will be prompted to pay online. This is the most secure way to pay. If you missed paying online or if you need to pay for an extension, you can send an email to your case coordinator or a fax to 612-235-3355. Please include the name on the card, the full card number, the expiration date, the amount you want charged (it’s helpful if you say what type of fee you want to pay), and a signature.

Yes, checks are accepted. If you choose to pay by check, please send the check to:

FedEx, UPS, or Overnight Mailings (recommended):
FORUM
5775 Wayzata Blvd., Suite 960
Minneapolis, MN 55416
USA

Regular US Post:
FORUM
P.O. Box 50191
Minneapolis, MN 55405
USA

No, the cases on the website are closed. If the panel is to consider redaction, the request must be made during the proceedings in formal submissions.

No, the Policy and Rules require FORUM to post decisions in their entirety, except for exceptional circumstances in which a panel may decide to redact portions of the decision.

Subject to document retention policies, if you are a party or a party representative to the case, email FORUM at domaindispute@adrforum.com (preferably from an email address associated with the case you had with us) and provide your name, contact information and the FORUM file number (FA number) associated with the case. Requests may require an affidavit or other evidence of identity.

If you are not a party or party representative to the case, FORUM will require a subpoena for case documents. Email domaindispute@adrforum.com for information on where to direct the subpoena.

If the request is for more than the pleadings, FORUM will require a subpoena.

Yes, the Policies provide that either party may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction (which may or may not be limited to the mutual jurisdiction selection of Complainant in the Complaint) before, during, or after a domain dispute case. Losing Respondents must file a court action within ten (10) business days of the UDRP decision to prevent the Registrar from implementing the decision. If the ten days have elapsed, a losing Respondent may still file, but the Registrar is not prevented from transferring the domain name per the panel’s order.There is no appellate mechanism within the UDRP procedures themselves.

If the case has not yet been commenced, domain names may be added. Please note, however, when adding domain names, the process must start over with verification of the domain names by the Registrar.

Always list the information available in the Whois or otherwise available publicly. FORUM will request verification from the Registrar and provide that information to the Complainant with a request to amend the Complaint.

The Decision received from FORUM does not automatically transfer the domain name. Prevailing Complainants will work with the Registrar to identify the information needed to implement the transfer. Not all Registrars handle this process the same. Some variations include:

• Setting up an account to hold the domains and providing the prevailing Complainant access so they be transferred to the Complainant’s Registrar.
• Providing a 'transfer authorization code' sometimes called a transfer code or an auth.code, that can be used with the prevailing Complainant’s Registrar when requesting a transfer of the domains.
• Providing an 'EPP' code that is for a specialized Registrar- to - Registrar transfer process.
• Changing the contact details of the domain name (maybe just the email address) to Complainant’s, so that when a transfer is requested, the confirmation email goes to the Complainant.

The prevailing party must first make sure that the 10-day period after the issuance of the decision has lapsed. Although FORUM has no power of the actions of a Registrar, contacting your case coordinator and asking that the decision be sent to Registrar may help. If it doesn’t you may submit a Complaint to ICANN’s contractual compliance.

Yes. A UDRP Response may be filed by clicking here. Please contact FORUM at domaindispute@adrforum.com with any questions.

Yes, if you have filed your Response online, you must also email a copy of your Response to Complainant, or its Counsel.

Yes. A Respondent may request a three-member panel as part of a Response in a UDRP case. FORUM’s Model Response may be used as a guide. Please see the fee table to determine the fee associated with the three-member panel request.